U.S. patent number 4,883,692 [Application Number 07/296,683] was granted by the patent office on 1989-11-28 for aromatic foam-plastic decorative object.
Invention is credited to Donald Spector.
United States Patent |
4,883,692 |
Spector |
November 28, 1989 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Aromatic foam-plastic decorative object
Abstract
An aromatic decorative figure or other object formed of foam
plastic material having dispersed throughout its cellular structure
a relatively large amount of a volatile liquid fragrance. When the
figure is exposed to the atmosphere, it continuously exudes the
fragrance for a prolonged period, in the course of which the figure
proceeds to shrink as a result of liquid loss, thereby indicating
the approaching exhaustion of the fragrance. In one embodiment, the
figure is created in situ by injecting a charge of a foam-forming
mixture having the liquid fragrance dispersed therein into the
cavity of a blister pack whose transparent blister is configured to
assume the contours of the desired figure. The injected mixture
expands within the cavity to form a figure which conforms to the
contours of the blister and is cured therein. The resultant
foam-plastic figure is effectively sealed within the pack to
prevent the escape of fragrance, the pack also serving to display
and protect the figure.
Inventors: |
Spector; Donald (Union City,
NJ) |
Family
ID: |
23143084 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/296,683 |
Filed: |
January 13, 1989 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/16; 206/457;
229/92.8; 239/57; 428/17; 428/71; 206/461; 239/56; 239/211;
428/905 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L
9/042 (20130101); A61L 9/12 (20130101); Y10S
428/905 (20130101); Y10T 428/233 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A61L
9/12 (20060101); A61L 9/04 (20060101); A61L
009/04 (); B42D 015/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;428/71,905,15,16,17
;40/124.1 ;206/457,461 ;229/92.8 ;239/56,57,211 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Epstein; Henry F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ebert; Michael
Claims
I claim:
1. An aromatic, foam-plastic, decorative, three-dimensional article
comprising:
(a) an envelope configured to assume the contoured
three-dimensional form of a decorative object, said envelope
forming a mold cavity and having a port therein to admit a charge
of foam-forming mixture having a liquid fragrance dispersed therein
which expands under gas pressure to ill said cavity and conform to
the contours of the envelope, aid envelope having minute apertures
therein to relieve aid gas; and
(b) a foam-plastic object formed in situ in the cavity from said
mixture admitted through said port and conforming to the contours
of the envelope, aid object exuding said fragrance and said
envelope being at least partially transparent to expose the
object.
2. An article as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mixture as it
expands is extruded through said apertures to form tentacles which
project outside of the envelope and exude said fragrance.
3. An article as set forth in claim 1, further including a
pressure-sensitive adhesive seal covering said port.
4. An article as set forth in claim 1, wherein said envelope is
constituted by a blister pack formed by a backing card having said
port therein, and a transparent blister configured to assume the
form of said object and having said apertures therein, said blister
being marginally bonded to said card.
5. An article as set forth in claim 4, wherein said card is coated
with a film of polyvinyl chloride and said blister is formed of
polyvinyl chloride whose margin is thermally bonded to the
card.
6. An article as set forth in claim 4, wherein said object is a
human figure.
7. An article as set forth in claim 4, wherein said figure is a
human figure with hair, and said expanding mixture is extruded
through said apertures to form hair-like tentacles.
8. An article as set forth in claim 4, wherein said backing card is
a greeting card and said blister is marginally bonded to one
section of the card, the remaining section being reserved for
greeting card text and graphics.
9. An article as set forth in claim 8, wherein said object includes
a grass lawn and said expanding mixture is extruded through said
apertures to form grass-like tentacles.
10. An article as set forth in claim 1, wherein said envelope is a
transparent casing of synthetic plastic material configured to
assume the form of said object.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to foam-plastic aromatic figures
and other decorative objects, and more particularly to a technique
for forming an in situ figure of this type within the cavity of a
blister pack which initially functions as a mold therefor and then
as a protective display package.
2. Status of Prior Art
Foam plastic material can be made in various densities and in
varying degrees of resilience and hardness, so that the material
can be soft and spongy, semi-flexible or hard and rigid. To produce
a plastic foam material having a myriad of open cells, use may be
made for this purpose of a blowing agent that generates gas through
thermal decomposition in the polymer liquid or melt, or gas may be
injected into the melt which expands during pressure relief. Gas
may also be generated as a by-product of a chemical condensation
reaction during cross-linking.
Various types of foam-forming polymer mixtures are disclosed in the
Seefried U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,865, and in the Weisman U.S. Pat. No.
4,439,548. The invention is not limited to any one form of foam
plastic material, for to create a foam plastic figure, use may be
made of polyurethane, polyvinyl or any other known form of foam
material which has dispersed therein a volatile liquid fragrance
that is exuded when the figure is exposed to the atmosphere.
The concern of the present invention is with an article in the form
of a decorative figure or other attractive object made of foam
plastic material that has dispersed therein a volatile liquid
fragrance, whereby the article is capable of exuding the fragrance
continuously for a prolonged period.
A decorative sponge-like object of this type can be created with
existing techniques by injecting the foam-forming mixture that
incorporates the liquid fragrance into a shaped mold having the
appropriate configuration. Because of the gas generated, the
mixture expands in the mold to conform to the contours thereof, and
it then cures in the mold to form the desired object. Finally, the
object is removed from the mold and suitably packaged.
The problem encountered when seeking to produce shaped sponge-like
objects of foam plastic material is that the cycle time for forming
the sponge is considerably longer than with ordinary plastics which
do not expand within the mold. Hence the cost per shot is
substantially greater than it would be for a regular injection
molding operation. Moreover, foam-forming materials used in the
molding process are somewhat toxic prior to the sponge reaction and
therefore have to be handled in a special environment. To further
complicate matters, setting up machines to operate on foam requires
many hours of transition time from the normal everyday injection
molding process.
It is known to package toy figures and other articles of
merchandise in a so-called blister pack. This pack is formed by a
film or blister of clear plastic that is vacuum molded to conform
generally to the configuration of the shaped article to be
packaged. The margin of this blister is bonded to a backing sheet,
thereby sealing the article within the blister.
The advantage of a blister pack over a conventional package is that
it not only protects the article contained therein against
contamination, but it also serves to display the article, so that
potential purchasers are able to see the article being offered for
sale. After purchase, the blister is detached from its backing
sheet to release the article from the pack.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, the main object of this invention is to
provide a decorative figure or object formed of foam plastic
material which has dispersed throughout its cellular structure a
substantial supply of a volatile liquid fragrance, whereby the
figure when exposed to the atmosphere continuously exudes fragrance
for a prolonged period.
A significant feature of the invention is that as the fragrance is
exuded from the figure, the resultant loss of liquid causes the
figure to shrink, thereby indicating the approaching exhaustion of
the fragrance.
More particularly, an object of this invention is to provide a
technique for producing an in situ figure of the above type within
a mold formed by the cavity of a blister pack whose blister is
configured to assume the contours of the desired figure whereby the
pack serves initially as a mold to create the figure and then as a
protective display package therefor.
Also an object of the invention is to provide a blister pack
functioning as a mold for the aromatic foam plastic figure, the
blister having apertures therein through which are extruded
filaments of the expanding foam-forming mixture injected into the
mold, whereby in the resultant figure these filaments simulate
hair, grass, or other strands which exude fragrance.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a transparent
casing contoured to provide a three-dimensional mold having the
shape of a desired aromatic article, a charge of a foam-forming
aromatic mixture being injected into the casing which is provided
with apertures whereby when the mixture expands to fill the mold to
form the object mass, strands are extruded through the apertures
which exude the fragrance of the liquid dispersed in the object,
the mass of the article serving as a reservoir for the liquid
fragrance.
Briefly stated, these objects are attained in an aromatic
decorative figure or other object formed of foam plastic material
having dispersed throughout its cellular structure a relatively
large amount of a volatile liquid fragrance. When the figure is
exposed to the atmosphere, it continuously exudes the fragrance for
a prolonged period, in the course of which the figure proceeds to
shrink as a result of liquid loss, thereby indicating the
approaching exhaustion of the fragrance.
In one embodiment of the invention, the figure is created by
injecting a charge of a foam-forming mixture having the liquid
fragrance dispersed therein into the cavity of a blister pack whose
transparent blister is configured to assume the contours of the
desired figure. The injected mixture expands within the cavity to
form a figure which conforms to the contours of the blister and is
cured therein. The resultant form-plastic figure is effectively
sealed within the pack to prevent the escape of fragrance, the pack
also serving to display and protect the figure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES OF DRAWING
For a better understanding of the invention as well as other
objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the
following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a blister pack in accordance with the
invention in which there is contained a three-dimensional aromatic
figure;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section taken through the pack;
FIG. 3 is a front view of a greeting card having a blister pack
containing a three-dimensional house and a grass lawn;
FIG. 4 shows an aromatic foam plastic figure in the form of a lamb
disposed within a transparent casing having apertures therein from
which filaments are extruded to simulate the wool of the lamb;
and
FIG. 5 is a transverse section taken through FIG. 5 in the plane
indicated by lines 5--5 in FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
As used herein, the term "aroma" or "fragrance" is not limited to
pleasant or savory smells, but encompasses scents that function as
insecticides, air fresheners, deodorants or any other odor that
acts to condition, modify or otherwise charge the atmosphere.
The aroma of perfumes and perfume-based products such as colognes
and toilet waters was originally derived from the essential oils of
plants. However, since the early 19th century, chemists have
succeeded in analyzing many essential oils and in creating
thousands of synthetics, some simulating natural products and
others yielding altogether new scents. Perfumes today are largely
blends of natural and synthetic scents and of fixatives which
equalize vaporization and enhance pungency. In most liquid scents
the ingredients are combined with alcohol.
Blister Pack
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a blister pack in
accordance with the invention that serves as a mold to create an in
situ foam plastic aromatic figure which in the example illustrated
is a girl 10 on whose head 11 is a large mass 12 of hair. The
figure is encased in the pack which functions to protect and
display the figure.
The pack includes a backing card 13 having a port 14 therein which
is closable by a pressure-sensitive adhesive seal 15 that normally
closes the port and which can be removed temporarily to open it for
the admission of a foam-forming mixture. Card 13 is preferably of
cardboard having a thin layer of thermoplastic PVC material coated
thereon.
Thermally or otherwise bonded at its margins to backing card 17 is
a blister 16 formed of a transparent synthetic plastic film, such
as polyvinyl chloride, which is thermally bondable to the backing
card. Blister 16 is vacuum molded or otherwise configured to assume
the three-dimensional contours of FIG. 10. The blister is provided
in the region of the hair mass 12 with a multitude of minute
apertures 17 which are dispersed throughout the region.
The cavity defined between the contoured blister 16 and the backing
card 13 is used as a mold to form figure 10 in situ. Injected into
this mold through rear port 14 is a charge of a foam-forming
mixture having dispersed therein a volatile liquid fragrance, which
in practice, may represent as much as 30% by volume of the mixture.
The amount of charge is appropriate to the final dimensions of the
figure. When injected into the cavity, because of the gas which is
then generated, the mixture expands to fill the cavity, and then
proceeds to cure.
Apertures 17 initially function to relieve the pressure of the gas,
the expanding foam plastic material after filling the cavity being
extruded through these apertures to create small hair-like
tentacles 18. Blister 16 is printed and colored to define the
outline of the figure and to impart appropriate colors thereto.
The aromatic liquid dispersed in the cellular structure of the foam
plastic figure is not permitted to escape from the sealed blister
pack except through the exposed tentacles 18. Hence while the
foam-plastic figure, when encased in the blister pack, is
effectively sealed thereby, its aroma can be sensed by the
fragrance exuded from the tentacles. In the example shown, this
aroma is preferably related to the nature of the hair, so that if
the hair has the color of strawberries, the aroma may be that of
strawberries.
The blister pack functions as a protective package for the
foam-plastic figure which displays the figure. But when the figure
is removed from the pack to function as a decorative air freshener
in a room or other environment, it then gives off a much greater
amount of aromatic vapor which is exuded from the entire surface of
the figure. Because of the large volume of aromatic liquid
entrapped in the figure, as the fragrance is exuded therefrom, the
figure proceeds to shrink, and in doing so indicates the degree to
which the supply of aroma approaches the point of exhaustion. Thus
the user is made aware of the extent to which the figure remains
effective as an air freshener.
Greeting Card
The blister pack concept for molding a synthetic plastic aromatic
foam article or figure may be realized in an aromatic greeting card
format, as shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the backing card 19
has printed thereon "Welcome Home, Buddy" or whatever text is
appropriate to the greeting card.
Marginally secured to the upper section of backing card 19 is a
shaped, transparent blister 20 which in the example shown defines a
house 21 and a grass lawn 22 in front of the house. The card is
provided with a sealable port (not shown) to admit a charge of a
foam-forming mixture, and the blister is provided in the region of
the grass lawn with a multitude of minute apertures from which
grass-like tentacles are extruded.
The aromatic content of the foam-forming mixture injected into the
cavity defined by the blister has the fragrance of grass so that
the greeting card exudes this characteristic aroma.
In this embodiment, the foam plastic body molded and cured within
the cavity in the greeting card is not removed therefrom, but the
body serves as a reservoir for the liquid fragrance which is exuded
only from the exposed grass-like tentacles. Thus unlike
conventional greeting cards which are usually disposed of not long
after they are received, a greeting card in accordance with the
invention will usually be retained by the recipient as long as it
continues to give off an aroma. This period will be relatively
prolonged because of the aroma reservoir.
In practice, the aromatic foam-plastic decorative object encased in
the greeting card blister may be in any decorative form, such as a
cluster of flowers which exude a flower-like aroma through minute
apertures or die cuts in the blister.
Encased Figure
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one may create a transparent mold cavity
for a figure which in the example shown is a baby lamb by means of
a casing 23 of transparent, synthetic plastic film material molded
to assume the three-dimensional form of the lamb.
In this instance, the foam plastic used has the hue of white lamb's
wool. Distributed throughout the entire surface of casing 23 are
minute apertures 24 so that the foam plastic extruded through these
apertures when the foam expands in the molded cavity formed by the
casing then simulates wool covering the entire body of the lamb
figure.
Casing 23 is provided with a port 25 (and a removable seal
therefor) into which a charge of the aromatic foam-forming mixture
is injected as in the previous embodiments.
In this instance, the encased foam-plastic body of the lamb serves
as a reservoir for the liquid fragrance which is exuded only from
the wool-like tentacles on the exterior of the casing.
Thus in all embodiments of the invention, the foam-plastic aromatic
figure or object is formed in situ within a shaped envelope in a
blister, a casing or any other format, at least the front portion
of the envelope being transparent to expose the object to view.
Because of the high liquid fragrance content of the article, as the
fragrance approaches exhaustion, it proceeds to shrink to indicate
the loss of fragrance.
An example of a suitable foam-forming mixture for use in creating
in situ foam plastic figures in the manner disclosed herein is
HYPOL. This is a foamable hydrophilic prepolymer which is described
by its manufacturer, the Organic Chemical Division of W.R. Grace
& Company of Lexington, Mass., in its "Technical Bulletin
C-7."
As pointed out in this bulletin, mold release agents are generally
required, these being sprayed or soaked into the mold prior to use.
But instead, a mold release agent, such as an oil, may be
incorporated as an additive in the foam-forming formulation.
In the present invention, the oil in the fragrance added to the
mixture also serves as a mold release agent. Hence when the foam
plastic figure is created in situ in the cavity of the blister
pack, the oil serves as a release agent; and when the figure is
completed, it may be removed by rupturing the blister pack.
While there have been shown and described preferred embodiments of
aromatic foam-plastic decorative objects in accordance with the
invention, it will be appreciated that many changes and
modifications may be made therein without, however, departing from
the essential spirit thereof.
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